Christmas Blessings

Merry Christmas

                      From the Clark family                                    

An Enduring Kingdom Isaiah 9:6-7
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this.

This is a wonderful promise! In the midst of the political turmoil and uncertainty of our day there is a kingdom in the hearts of millions of believers whose government is firmly established on the strong, unchanging, stable shoulders of the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

God is calling His people to transfer their entire focus and trust from the kingdoms of this world to the kingdom of our God and of His Christ. He is the source of everything that we need. Our economy is based firmly on His kingdom and economic principles set out in His Word. In such rapidly changing times, He is our Wonderful Counselor to whom we go and depend upon for all our advice. He is our Everlasting Father who loves us passionately and to whom we can turn in every situation and know that He is always there for us. As the Prince of Peace, peace is His nature, and as we take on His nature we can walk in constant peace no matter what our circumstances.

The zeal of the Lord Almighty WILL accomplishes this. We are not the ones to do it. He will finish the good work He has begun in you. He will build His church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. He will establish His kingdom, and no political force or military might can stop it. He simply calls us to trust Him and to become a part of what He is doing in these last days.

This Christmas season and New Year, may we rejoice that the King is born, and “of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.” May you find refuge, counsel, grace and strength in His everlasting arms.

Andy and Emily Clark

Covenant Keeping God

Scripture Reading: Luke 13:10-16

“On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, "Woman, you are set free from your infirmity."  Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God. Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue ruler said to the people, "There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath." The Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Doesn't each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?" 

When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.”

It is interesting that in Luke 13:16 Jesus did not know the name of the woman but He remembered His covenant to Abraham. There are many times we see Jesus moved with compassion. But here Jesus is moved to action by His covenant.

Psalms 105:8-9 says, “He remembers his covenant forever, the word he commanded, for a thousand generations, the covenant he made with Abraham, the oath he swore to Isaac.”

2 Corinthians 1:20 says: “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God.”

All the promises of God, Old Testament and New Testament are YES in Christ and AMEN in Him because all the promises are fulfilled through Him.

I want to encourage you today, that God is a covenant-keeping God. Take time to review the covenants in His Word. Pray and allow these to become alive to your situation. Do not let doubt or disobedience hinder you from pressing into those promises. Most covenants have requirements for us to fulfill. Remind God of His promises and be willing to step out in faith and maybe do something that you have never done before. Step out of the box of your routine and ability into the vastness of God’s greatness, and see Him work on your behalf.

May God by His Spirit and Word encourage you today.

Andy Clark

Our Ministry

Below is this weeks devotional, "Our Ministry: Beholding and Reflecting," which I trust will be and encouragement to you.

I will be out of the office November 29-December 14 as I travel to Kenya and Egypt and so my next devotional will not be until December 17 or 18. Pray for God's protection, strength and anointing as I minister in three conferences, a Bible School graduation and five or six services, a total of about 30 to 40 hours of teaching.

Thanks.

Andy

2 Corinthians 3:18-4:1

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.

NKJV

Our first ministry as Christians is to behold the glory of the Lord.

Behold: to hold in view or attention: to fix ones gaze intently.

Behold with unveiled faces. A veil is something you hide behind so people cannot see who you are.

Part of our transformation is not only fixing our eyes on Jesus but being transparent in our relationship with Him. The result of this beholding and unveiling before God is that we are transformed into his image The fruit of the Spirit (Gal.5:22-23) become part of our nature.

Our second ministry is reflecting the glory of the Lord.

2 Cor 3:18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory. NIV

What you are focused on is what you will reflect!

The glory of the Lord can only be truly reflected through unveiled faces.

Just as we must be transparent before God, we must be transparent before the world.

No matter what culture we live in and minister in, the world is looking for real people.

My prayer for you today as that you will experience God in a new dimension, that your relationship with Him will be refreshed and the world you are in will see a fresh image of Jesus in you.

 

Thanksgiving

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” NKJV

Thankfulness is not based upon circumstances or feelings but upon the character of God. It is not simply an emotional response but an act of the will. It is the will of God for you to be thankful. You choose to be thankful; no matter what it is you are facing because you know that God is loving, faithful, and is working out His will in you for His pleasure. Thanksgiving is found in Christ Jesus. It is connected to praying without ceasing because it is out of continual communion with God that we can walk in thanksgiving.

Paul commands us in Philippians 4:6-7,“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Prayer and supplication with thanksgiving results in God’s peace that we do not understand because it flows from our heart, even in the midst of challenging times.

In Nehemiah 6:15, despite ridicule, opposition, lies, accusations and threats of the enemy, Jeremiah and the children of Israel finish rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem from burnt stones. In Nehemiah 12: 27 they brought to Jerusalem the Levites to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres. Verse 31 says that they appointed two large thanksgiving choirs who walked in opposite directions around the walls of Jerusalem giving thanks to God until they came together at the house of God as one great choir of thanksgiving to glorify God.

It concludes in Nehemiah 12:43, “Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and the children also rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard afar off.” Thanksgiving produces an atmosphere of celebration that brings glory to God.

Revelations 7:11-12 says, “All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying:

"Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom,

Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,

Be to our God forever and ever.

Amen."

This Thanksgiving, let us join the hosts of heaven in celebration and give thanks to Him who is worthy of all praise, glory and honor, for He has redeemed our lives from destruction and clothed us with grace and peace that we may stand and declare His glory in the earth.

Andy Clark

The Battle is Not Yours

Sometimes we fight battles that God does not call us to fight. Oftentimes the devil wants to occupy our time, energy, spiritual and natural resources in fighting these battles so that we are distracted or ineffective in what God wants us to do.

In 2 Chronicles 20 a vast army from Moab and Ammon comes against Jehoshaphat and Israel. Let’s look at Jehoshaphat’s response to this threat from the enemy.

1. He resolved to inquire of the Lord. 20:3
2. He proclaimed a national fast. 20:3
3. He prayed.
1. He glorified God. 20:6
2. He reviewed what God had done. 20:7
3. He reminded God of His promise.20:8-9

Ps. 105:8 “He remembers His covenant forever,

The word which He commanded, for a thousand generations,…”

2 Cor. 1:20-22 “For all the promises of God in Him (Christ) are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. 21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, 22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” NKJV God did this for a reason. He did all this to fulfill His promise/covenant and bring you to the Promised Land, a place of destiny.

4. He stated the problem. 20:10-11
5. He declared their dependence on God. 20:12
3. God responds with encouragement and direction. 20:14-17

2 Chron. 20:15 “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's.” NIV

2 Chron. 20:17 “You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you,…” NIV

5. Jehoshaphat’s response.
1. Praise and worship. 20:18-19
2. Faith in God and His word. 20:20-21
3. Obedience 20:21
6. God’s deliverance. 20:22-24
1. Divine provision. 20:25-26
2. Rejoicing 20:27-28
3. Fear of God and peace. 20:29-30

How do you handle challenges, problems and attacks of the enemy? Do you try to resolve the problem yourself? Maybe pray and then resolve the problem? Or do you seek to hear the voice of God, declare your dependence on him, and respond in obedience to his word? Be encouraged. The victory is ours!

Andy Clark

Conquering the Darkness

Only one thing conquers and dispels darkness, and that is light. Isaiah declared, “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light” (Isaiah 9:2). Likewise, John stated, “The light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not” (John 1:5).

Light represents understanding. When we say, “I see the light,” we’re saying, “Now I understand.” The Lord is about to open our eyes to receive new revelation of the greatness of God and what He is doing in the world today. We can not focus on what governments, the media and the world say, for they are in darkness and do not comprehend the light. We are people of the light. We should see things as God sees things and come into His understanding. We should not be influenced by the world, but we should be influencing the world.

1 John 1:5-7 says, “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. ---If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

In the midst of a darkening world God wants to reveal Himself in a new way to us. He calls us not to focus on the darkness of this world, but on the glorious revelation of Himself. “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” God desires to dispel the darkness out of our lives. He wants to remove the darkness of fear, anxiety, doubt, discouragement and apathy, and replace it with the light of faith, hope and love.

It was during the stormy period marking the expansion of the Assyrian empire and the decline of Israel that Isaiah “saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of His robe filled the temple.” (Isaiah 6:1) It was when the Syrian army surrounded Elisha and his servant, that the servant’s eyes were opened and he saw “the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire.” (2 Kings 16:7) Paul prayed for us that “the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe.” (Ephesians 1:18-19)

It is only as the light of the revelation of Christ permeates our very being, expelling the darkness in us, that we can begin to bring light to the world. For it is the light of Christ in us that conquers the darkness. It was only after the revelation of the greatness of God that Isaiah said “here am I, send me!” Isaiah was saying, “Lord send me into the darkness of Israel to shine forth the revelation knowledge of yourself.” Later, Isaiah would pen these prophetic words, “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.”

Light always conquers darkness! May you receive a greater revelation of the glory of the Lord in you, and may it begin to affect those around you.

Andy Clark

Spirit of Adoption

Romans 8:14-17

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out,"Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs — heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” NKJV

When I was a missionary in Haiti, I had a missionary friend of mine who took an orphan boy into his home to care for him. The boy moved from the street into his own room which he had never had and enjoyed the warmth of a loving home that lacked nothing. Yet, even though the cupboards were full of food and he was getting three meals a day, he was hiding food throughout the house in fear of the day there would be no food.

We, too, as Christians can oftentimes live with the orphan spirit. We have been born again and have become children of God Almighty who created, owns, and sustains all things by His power and promises to care for us. Yet, we worry about the future. We live in the house of abundance, but we squirrel things away for a rainy day. It also affects our generosity toward God and those around us whom God brings across our path. We are so busy attempting to make ourselves secure that we don’t have time for God or those around us.

No matter whether life is treating you well or you are facing challenges today, allow the Spirit of adoption to rise up in you and reconnect you with “Abba, Father” who dearly loves you and wants to reaffirm to you that you are His child. He is the reason for living, your inheritance, and great reward. The Spirit of adoption not only wants to bring you into a place of security in the Father, but He wants to lead you and empower you with wisdom, knowledge, and might that you in turn would be able to bring the Spirit of adoption to those who are orphaned around you.

As a child of God, let the Spirit of God lead you to reach out to someone with a word of encouragement or and act of kindness. Jesus said,“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Andy Clark 

Pressing On

The Lord recently took me to the story of the call of Elisha in I Kings 19:19-21. Elisha is just doing his job, plowing his field, when at God's command Elijah comes by and throws his mantle on Elisha. Elisha kills the oxen he was using to plow, then burns his plow, his source of livelihood, sacrifices the oxen and follows Elijah. 

I Kings 19:21 concludes, "Then he arose and followed Elijah and became his servant." Elisha gives everything up to follow the will of God, and the will of God was that he would first become the servant of Elijah. The call of God is not the same for all but the pursuit is all-encompassing. The call may not be an abandonment of vocation but of self. The call of God is not passive but requires an active response. Elijah arose and followed Elijah. The call of God begins with servanthood. “And Jesus sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." (Mark 9:35-36)  

As you fallow the story of Elisha following Elijah in 2 Kings 2:1-18, Elisha is tempted to stop at Gilgal, the place of meeting or fellowship, then to stop at Bethel, the house of God, and then at Jericho, the place of victory. However, at each place he refuses to stop in his pursuit of God through his service to Elijah. Finally, the last test was Jordan, the place of death.While the rest of the prophets stopped at Jordan, Elisha pursues God and his service to Elisha, even through the place of death and comes into the double anointing that God had for Him.

We oftentimes compartmentalize our service to God as spiritual activities that we may do in church, or with brothers and sisters in Christ, or the privacy of our home. Being a disciple of Christ is not a part-time job, it is 24/7 no matter what your vocation. It means serving those around us, whether believer or not, as you would serve Christ. It is a single-hearted pursuit of God and the manifestation of His love, grace and power through our lives to the world in which we live and operate. This pursuit of God, as with Elisha, requires a death to self that the life of Christ may be seen in us.

The Apostle Paul said in Philippians 3:12-14, “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

I would encourage you today not to give up, be discouraged, or become complacent, but keep pressing on to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of you. The plans God has for you “are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Andy Clark

Delight Yourself in the Lord

Jeremiah 9:23-24

"Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. for in these I delight," says the LORD.”

As I read through the book of Jeremiah, I see many parallels to our nation today. Israel in their prosperity had become self-sufficient and self-centered. Even though many still worshiped God, their hearts were far from Him, and they placed their confidence in what they created with their hands. So God was about to strip them of everything they had and send them into captivity.

In the above portion God exhorts them to make a shift in their confidence from their wisdom, might, and riches to the place that they would understand and know Him. Notice the word “that.” The ability and capacity to understand and know God can only come as we abandon our confidence in our wisdom, might, and riches. In doing so we begin to delight in what the Lord delights in, and that is lovingkindness or unfailing love and devotion to Him and to those who are around us. God is not “turned on” by our wisdom, might and riches. God is “turned on” to unfailing love, justice, and righteousness (right standing or right relationship) with Him and others.  

A shift in our confidence is demonstrated by a shift in our speech. Malachi 3:16-18 says, “Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name. They will be mine," says the LORD Almighty, "in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”

We are going to see a growing distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not. The distinction will begin in our speech. What do we talk about when we are with family, friends, and co-workers? God actually keeps a book of remembrance when we talk about things that delight Him, that turn Him on and make His day. “Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.” (Psalms 37:4-6)

Andy Clark

Knowing Christ

Philippians 3:8-9

“I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ “

Paul opens this chapter in Philippians by giving his resume. Paul was great and successful in both the secular Roman world and the religious Jewish world before he ever met Christ. He was born into an important family, had the best education, had risen to the top of his field, and was successful in everything he did. Paul was zealous for God and his church. He was at the top of his game. But Paul considered all that rubbish in comparison to knowing Christ.

Knowing Christ is not the key to greatness and success, nor is greatness and success evidence of knowing Christ. Knowing Christ is greatness and success. In Africa they have a proverb that says, “It is not important who you are but who you know.” In the world and the church we idolize fame, greatness, and success. Our bookstores are filled with books on how to be successful. We parade it on TV and reward it with our time and money. We often gain our sense of identity by what we do and what we possess. However, the things we put such importance and on which we spend so much time and money may bring us some fulfillment and pleasures in this world. But they are rubbish in God’s world compared to knowing Christ.

In Luke 10 and John 12 we see two stories of Jesus visit to the home of Lazarus, Mary and Martha. In both stories Martha is busy serving, and Mary is at Jesus feet in worship. In the story in John, Lazarus was seated at the table fellowshipping with Jesus. In Luke, Martha complains to Jesus that Mary is not doing her part in helping serve. Jesus response is very revealing of the heart of God. “And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."  (Luke 10:41-42)

All three elements of fellowship, service, and worship are important in our walk with the Lord. But Jesus identifies that what Mary was doing as most important and would not be taken away from her. Everything we do that is of eternal value stems out of our relationship with Christ. The proof of our relationship with  Christ is not in our accomplishments but our character as evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This fruit will come forth in our lives in the good times and the bad times. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Andy Clark

Nation Building

Psalms 127:1

“Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”

I was recently part of a fairly extensive political survey. One of the questions asked was, “What is more important to you, moral values or the economy?” They then asked, “How important are moral values to you: not very important, somewhat important, important or very important?”

In the midst of all the political hype and bickering with which we are bombarded by the media in the run up to the US elections, we must be careful that we do not lose sight of what is most important. It is often hard to judge who is telling the truth. What are the real facts, and what is conjecture and political spin? In the midst of all the political ideology, expert opinions and media hype, there is one thing that remains consistent and true, and that is God and His Word.

America is great because it was founded on Biblical values. The moral decay of our nation is the primary cause of the decay of family, education, government, economy, and every aspect of the social and political fabric of our nation. The economy is not the major issue of this election. Biblical and moral values are the major issue of this election. What does God say in His word about marriage, family, the sanctity of life, education, immigration, money, and the relationship of religion and politics? That is where we need to stand and vote for the candidate who most closely aligns with Biblical views. Proverbs 14:34 says, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”

As I read through the prophets in my daily Bible reading, I am reminded that God is the one who raises up and takes down nations. God is a nation builder. No nation, no matter how great and powerful, can stand without God. When we abandon God, we abandon the source of life. This is not only true on a personal level, but also on a national level. Christianity is not just a private relationship with God but should permeate every aspect of our lives. Jesus’ entire life revolved around His relationship with the Father. It was not a relationship He practiced just in private but one that influenced every decision and impacted everyone He met.

We are in a crucial time. It is time for the church to stand up and be the church. It is not a time to retreat but to be salt and light in our world. It is time to pray, to speak boldly the unchanging truths of God’s Word in the confusion and darkness of our day. We cannot get caught up in the political vortex, nor can we stick our heads in the sand. We must pray, vote, and take a strong Biblical stand for the salvation of our nation.

Andy Clark

Enlarge Your Tent

Isaiah 54:2-3

"Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; do not spare; lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes. For you shall expand to the right and to the left, and your descendants will inherit the nations, and make the desolate cities inhabited.”

This wonderful promise begins with a command from God to “enlarge the place of your tent.” In order for God to fulfill His plans and purposes for our lives, we need to make room or create the environment for God to work. Many times we pray for things, but we do not see the fulfillment of our prayers because our lives are so cluttered or bound by our limitations that God cannot work.

The Apostle Paul exhorts us to “build yourselves up in your most holy faith.” (Jude 20) He also says that “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God,” (Romans 10:17) and that “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6) There are steps we have to take by faith to create the environment for God to work. We have to diligently seek Him, and in doing so, we come to know Him, recognize His voice, and know His ways.

Once you have enlarged your place, you can now lengthen your cords. You begin to stretch yourself and reach out beyond the borders of your limitations. Begin to do things that you have not done before. Isaiah says, “do not spare.” The NIV says, “do not hold back.” Don’t hesitate! Go for it! 

But as you reach out in faith into the unknown of God’s promises, you must “strengthen your stakes.” Jesus told us in order to survive the flood, we need to “dig deep and lay the foundation on the rock,” by coming to Him and “hearing His sayings and doing them.” (Luke 6:48) As you expand into Satan’s territory it is essential that you take time to dig deep into Christ and drive the unshakable stakes deep into Him.

Once you have enlarged your place, lengthened your cord, and strengthened your stakes, a wonderful thing happens. You can now stretch out the curtains of your dwellings. Curtains are the cloth or skins that make up the tent covering, providing security and safety, not only for yourself, but also for your household and those under your authority.

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 says, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit.” Today, believe that God has great things for you and prepare yourself for them because “your Father who is in heaven gives good things to those who ask.”(Luke 11:11)

Andy Clark

God Sees Darkness as Light

Psalms 139:12

“Even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.”

As I was praying over the Middle East and North Africa, the Lord spoke to me from Psalms 139:12 and said, “I do not despair with darkness because darkness is as light to Me.” During some of the darkest days in Israel under the wicked rule of Ahab and Jezebel, who were killing all of God’s prophets, the great prophet Elijah finds himself in a cave full of despair at the condition of his nation and in fear of his very life. God is not even fazed by Elijah’s complaint, but declaires, “I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him." (I Kings 19:18)

As we watch the growing wickedness and darkness spread over our world, our nation and sometimes over our lives, we can lose our God’s perspective. God is not fazed by the darkness but rejoices in the light. We need to put on our night goggles of God’s Word and God’s perspective of current events. God paid no attention to Elijah’s despair and complaint, but simply tells Elijah to get up and go anoint the next king of Syria and of Israel and Elisha the next national prophet of Israel.

In Isaiah chapter eight God speaks judgment over Israel, but in Isaiah 9:1-2 God declares, “Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever….The people who walk in darkness will see a great light — a light that will shine on all who live in the land where death casts its shadow.” God who is light and sees darkness as light, speaks light into darkness. In Genesis one, darkness covered the earth, and God spoke light into the midst of this total deep darkness, and there was light.

We are not people of the darkness but of the light. Our perspective and response to what is going on around us should be diametrically different than the world that walks in darkness. Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue,

And those who love it will eat its fruit.” Jesus said, "Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 18:18)

As you pray over our world, ask God to open your eyes to see what He sees and pray that those who walk in darkness will see a great light. If you are in a dark place, know that darkness and despair will not go on forever and rejoice that the darkness is as light to God, and God speaks light into darkness.

Andy Clark

All Authority

In Matthew 8:6-13 a Roman centurion came to Jesus to heal his servant who was paralyzed. When Jesus said he would come, the centurion gave an astounding response.

"Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."

You notice the centurion did not say that I am a man of authority but “a man under authority.” The centurion touches on the first key to authority. That authority is derived from submission to a greater authority. Jesus marvels at the centurion’s response and turns to the crowd and declares; “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” Why does Jesus associate this concept of authority to “great faith”?  It comes from the second key to authority, and that is God’s authority is absolute. The centurion said, when I tell, “my servant ‘Do this,’ he does it.” There is no discussion, negotiations, delay, maybe or an excuse of any kind. When he gave a command, it was as good as done.

In our world today, we have lost our sense of authority, both in submission to authority and operating in authority. When God spoke, the worlds came into existence at the authority of His word. Great people of faith are people who respond to and operate in the authority of God. When God told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, the Bible says he got up the next morning and set off to do it. When God told Moses to stretch forth his rod over the Red Sea, he acted immediately.

 In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus said: "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Our authority to carry out the ministry God has called us to is derived out of our relationship with Jesus who has “ALL AUTHORITY” and the degree of authority we give Him in our lives. The people in Jesus day said that “He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” Matthew 7:29

The world is looking today for a people who walk under and in God’s authority. By His Spirit He has given you authority to carry out all that He has called you to do and the authority to overcome any challenge or obstacle the enemy may bring against you.

Andy Clark

Trust

Psalms 37:3-5

Trust in the LORD, and do good;

Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.

Delight yourself also in the LORD,

And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the LORD,

Trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.

This passage of Scripture begins and ends in trust. So should the life of every Christian begin and end with trust in God no matter what our situation, whether in abundance or in want, whether in sickness or in health. The word “trust” in the Hebrew means to be bold, confident, secure and sure. This bold, secure confidence must be in the Lord, Yahweh, the self-Existent, Eternal One.

In the world we live in today, we need to shift our trust from our government and economic system to the self-Existent and Eternal One who changes not and depends on no one. As our world shakes and reels, we who trust in the Lord should be the most optimistic, confident, secure and sure people on the planet. This is not because of who we are or what we have done, but because of who He is and what He has done. God is looking for a people who are bold in Him and will not cower to the gods of this age that roar like lions trying to intimidate us and silence us.

The Psalmist continues, “Trust in the Lord and do good.” True trust in God always produces good works because trust empowers us to reach out and encourage, build up, and serve others. Acts 10:38 records, “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” Though Jesus had little in the way of possessions, and had no official title or position, His trust and confidence in the Father empowered Him to give His life to minister to others.

Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” When we take our eyes off of ourselves, our needs and our wants, it enables us to see the opportunities God has for us to bless and influence the lives of others. Trust delivers us from the fear and/or bondage of trying to meet our needs or constantly trying to improve our lives and makes us secure because our security is in Him.

Trust opens the door for us to delight in the Lord, to truly enjoy and bask in the love and security of the Lord. Like Jesus, the joy and fulfillment of life is in the Father. Trust in the Lord changes your whole perspective on life and enables you to see the world as He sees it.

Andy Clark

Calling Disciples

Luke 6:12-13

“Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles.”

Sunday, I heard a tremendous sermon on discipleship that inspired this week’s devotional. No matter where we are located or what we are doing, I believe the ultimate goal for each one of us is the mandate of Christ to “go and make disciples in all nations.” (Matthew 28:19) I believe several keys to making disciples are revealed in the opening portion from Luke 6:12-13. These are basic keys that I believe we all need to review in our lives that are a constant part of making disciples.

Prayer – Jesus pulled away from everything for a time of prayer. This was a repetitive act that distinguished His life and ministry. Everything He did and everything we do that has eternal consequences is born out of prayer. Prayer is the key to our relationship with the Father. Prayer encourages, inspires and energizes us in our everyday walk. Prayer enables us to see things as God sees things and to respond as He would respond. Pray empowers us to do what we could not do in ourselves. Making disciples requires concentrated prayer.

Called – “He called His disciples to Himself.” Every disciple of Christ responded to an intentional call by Christ. A call requires a decision and demands a response. We are all familiar with the Muslim “call to prayer.” Not everyone comes, but the call goes forth daily, confronting people and requiring a decision and response. How much more important is it for us to give a clear call no matter what the response. Jesus called them to Himself. Our call is to a relationship with Christ, but we have to give the call. For without the call, a person does not have the opportunity to accept or reject a saving relationship with Christ. Jesus said “Many are called but few are chosen.” If you have ever been is sales, you know it takes a lot of calls to make one sale. Making disciples requires persistent calls no matter what the cost.

Chosen – “He chose twelve whom He also named apostles.” It takes a boldness to call people, but it takes a commitment to disciple them. Many people who respond to the call, respond out of great need, and takes a commitment of time and energy on our part to disciple them. Jesus committed himself three and a half years, almost 24/7, to the ones He chose to be with Him. He called them intentionally and discipled them purposefully to be apostles or “sent ones.” While He continued to call and minister to the multitudes, the future of the church rode upon the ones He discipled. Making disciples requires choosing and committing ourselves to people who will disciple others.

Andy Clark

Fear Not

Isaiah  43:1-2

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.”

Fear is something everyone deals with in their lives. Fear of failure, fear of the unknown, or fear of rejection. People often mask their fears with aggression, controlling behavior, aloofness, avoiding relationships and commitments, or an unwillingness to try new things. Fear can rob us of the freedom, joy, and adventure of life that we had when we were younger. Great men in the Bible like Abraham and Moses dealt with fear. The words fear, fears, and afraid appear over six hundred times in the Bible. David, the great warrior and king, wrote, “I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalms 34:4) Jesus repeatedly had to tell the disciples not to be afraid. The great Apostle Paul wrote, “For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears.” (2 Corinthians 7:5)

In these last days the world is trying to intimidate the church through threats and fear tactics to rob us of our freedom and authority purchased for us by the blood of Jesus Christ. The enemy would love to box us within our church walls creating a powerless and ineffective church that is neither salt nor light in this darkening world. Many Christians are afraid to share their faith in the public arena because of political correctness, fear of ridicule and rejection, or the possibility of losing their jobs. Fear has caused financial security to trump moral values in the public arena.

Fear can paralyze us or motivate us. God is looking for people like, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, David, Esther, Peter, John, Paul and the men and women of the early church who, despite conflicts on the outside and fears within, stood up in their generation to live out and declare the truths of God’s word. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.”

If we really believe God loves us, like children, we live in the security and freedom of that love no matter what is going on around us or what challenges we may face. The security of God’s love also enables us to live a transparent life in this world no matter what the response is of those around us. “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12: 32)

Andy Clark

Every Day Miracles

John 3:5-8

Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'  The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." 

I believe God is calling His people to begin to walk in what I call EVERY DAY MIRACLES. This is when God through you by the Spirit touches someone’s life at their point of need. This may be a word of encouragement, direction, faith and hope, an act of kindness, an expression of love or concern, a gift, or a supernatural touch of healing or provision. It may be expressed in person or through a prayer, call, email, or text message.

In John 3 Jesus is teaching on the necessity of the new birth, but there is also an underlying principle here that there are two levels of activity. There is that which is born of the flesh (man’s will or ability) and that which is born of the Spirit (God’s will and ability). Then He compares what is born of the Spirit to the wind. The wind is not bound by man-made limitations, ideas, laws, programs, culture and traditions, but “the wind blows where it wishes.” “So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."

EVERY DAY MIRACLES are born out of our willingness to move beyond our ideas, programs, and ability into the freedom of the Spirit’s daily leading in our lives.

In John 5:16-20 Jesus heals a lame man on the Sabbath against Jewish tradition and comes under criticism of Jewish leaders. Look carefully at Jesus’ response. "My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.”…. "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.  For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.”

EVERY DAY MIRACLES are born out of a passion for God, His everyday will in our lives and a passion for people. Our role in any miracle must be to serve people, anyone, anywhere, and anytime God directs.

My everyday prayer has become, “Lord, whom do you want me to touch by your Spirit today?”  Then I go through my day expecting to be used of God in some unexpected way.

May you discover the God of miracles working in your life and ministry today and every day.

Andy Clark

Stand Still

Sometimes we find ourselves surrounded by challenges and problems that seem to have no solution. Maybe we have been experiencing victory and success, or at the very least, life has been going along pretty normally when: Bang! an unexpected crisis hits our life that throws everything into a tail spin.  Israel found themselves in this situation in Exodus chapter 14. God had delivered them from four hundred years of slavery with awesome miracles and power. They were so excited leaving Egypt with the wealth of Egypt in their hands on the way to the promised land. Man, life was good and God is great! Then they ran into the Red Sea with mountains on each side and the Egyptian army at their back.

When challenges, problems, or crises unexpectedly strike our lives, and there seems to be no way out, our initial response is not always the best. Like Israel, maybe we become frantic or fearful, or anger sets in and we blame God or others for the problem. Despair whispers, “Lie down and give up, there is no way out.” Cowardice cries, “Retreat; God’s way is too difficult, I’ve made a mistake and should have never tried this, it was good for a while but it isn’t working any more. Human Effort determines, “If I just pray a little harder, work a little more, or try a different way, I can get out of this. Presumption declares, “If the sea is before me, by faith I am going to walk into it and expect a miracle from God.”

Faith though does not listen to Despair, Cowardice, Human Effort or Presumption. As with Israel, the command may be, “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord… The Lord will fight for you, and you will hold your peace.” (Exodus 14:13,14) Great faith is not based upon what we do, but our willingness to trust God totally in the midst of the storm and impossible situation. Do we really believe in a supernatural God who can do far above what we could even ask or think?

In Matthew 8:8 a centurion came to Jesus and said, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented." Jesus immediate response was, “I’ll come to your house and heal him.” The centurion’s response astounded Jesus. He said, “Just speak the word and my servant will be healed.” Verse10 says, “When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!”

Sometimes the greatest faith is when we cease from our labors and stop crying, pleading, and begging God for what we want or expect and just stand still. Stand still, attentive to God, ready for action, expecting further orders, cheerfully and patiently awaiting the voice of God, ready to do whatever He asks, no matter how ridiculous it may seem. When Israel stopped complaining and stood still, quietly waiting, the word of the Lord came, “Go forward, lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel will go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.” (Exodus 14:15-16)

No matter what you are facing today, God is not at fault, nor is he surprised or caught off guard. He knew what was going to happen even before you were born and already has a solution in place. It may not be your solution but His solution. Stop your frantic activity, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.

Andy Clark

Jesus Journey

As you read in my devotional last week entitled “Jesus,” the only hope for our world that groans in the bondage of sin is the manifestation of the children of God, that is Jesus Christ in us the hope of glory. (Romans 8:17, Colossians 1:27) For God’s glory to manifest in us we must walk the Jesus journey.

The summary of the first thirty years of Jesus’ journey are written in Luke 2:52,

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” Jesus is twelve years old and has gone to the temple with his parents, and Luke records in 2:47

“And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.” Though Jesus had revelation knowledge that surpassed the greatest teachers of His day, he spent His first thirty years growing “in wisdom and stature, and favor with God and men.”  We can become so busy with life that we do not allow time in our journey for God to develop His character in us. As we watch the Olympics this week, we will see people who have spent a lifetime of discipline in developing the character and skills necessary to stand for a moment on the world stage. Whatever we do in life, our Jesus journey begins with the disciplines of a Christlike character in us. We do not live according to the values of this world but by the values revealed to us in His Word and developed in us by submission to our heavenly coach, the Holy Spirit.

The next phase of Jesus’ journey is recorded in Luke 3:22, “and a voice came from heaven which said, "You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased." Wherever our journey takes us, the voice of affirmation over our lives must come from heaven. While Jesus grew in favor with man, the affirmation of who he was and what he did came only from the Father. No matter what kind of work we do, our only measure of success and sense of fulfillment can come from God. God’s pleasure with His son did not come from performance, because Jesus’ ministry had not yet begun. God’s pleasure was with Jesus the carpenter who had learned to walk as a son in a love relationship of submission and obedience.

The Jesus journey continues with the test of identity and character in the wilderness in Luke chapter four. The repeated challenge of the enemy was “If you are the son of God,” then prove it. Jesus’ consistent response was “It is written.” Satan constantly tests our identity and our character through success and suffering. He constantly flaunts the world before us, tempting us to measure ourselves by those around us, what we see and what we feel, instead of the Word of God.

The conclusion of Jesus’ journey is in Acts 10:38, “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” This can be the testimony of your journey when your identity and life is hidden in Christ. Through the Holy Spirit, you can do good works that God has ordained for you and bring healing to those around you.

Andy Clark

Jesus

Jesus said, “If I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all peoples to myself.” John 12:23

Last Wednesday, I went to the church of a pastor friend of mine to hear a friend of his with whom he had played college basketball, and both went on to play professional basketball. My friend now pastors a growing church that is bursting at the seams and in the midst of a building program, while his friend has a powerful ministry as a character coach for young men. Both of their successful ministries were birthed out of an encounter with Jesus Christ that radically changed their lives and created in them a passion for Jesus that marked their basketball careers, their lives, and their ministries.

As we look out over our decaying world, our only salvation is a generation that is radically turned on to and passionate about Jesus Christ. Christianity, especially in the West has become too much of a private relationship with Christ. Jesus said, “If I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” Jesus’ death and resurrection was a very public matter, out front where all could see. Jesus told the Jewish leaders, who arrested him, what I have done and taught has been in the open for everyone to hear. The mark of the early church was a bold and public confession of Jesus Christ.

Jesus said, “I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)  We become so caught up with building churches, programs and ministries that will attract people that we loose sight of the central attraction to Christianity and that is Jesus Christ. Somehow, lifting up Jesus is not enough of an attraction to appeal to our modern world. We feel this need to compete with the glitz of our modern age and sugar coat Jesus to make him palatable to our day and age. Relational and social evangelism, the trend of our day, is a wonderful thing, but without an open passion for Jesus it cannot stand.

Jesus is the star attraction of Christianity. Yes, there are many who will ridicule, oppose, and persecute the name of Jesus, but without Jesus we have nothing but a vain and empty religion. When we build our lives, reputation, family, work, church, and ministry on an open and public confession of Jesus Christ, He will draw people to himself and build a church that the gates of hell cannot prevail against.

Philippians 2:9-11says, “Therefore, God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Ask the Holy Spirit today to help you take Jesus out of the closet and make an open confession so that He can draw all people to himself and glorify God the Father.

Andy Clark

The High Life

Colossians 3:1-4

“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”

When you are in love with someone, their interests become your interests. We need to be interested in what God is interested in because we love Him, and our life is in Him. We become consumed by what consumes Him. The more heaven gets into you the more it radiates around you.

Colossians says, we are to “seek those things which are above.” To seek means to search for and pursue until you find it. It is not a casual pursuit but a diligent, purposeful, and disciplined pursuit of those things above. We are to “set our mind on things above.” The King James Version says to “set our affections on things above, not on things on the earth.” The focus of our soul man (mind, will and emotions) must be on things above. When we do that our soul comes into agreement with our spirit causing us to walk out the high life.

Jesus said in John 4:34, “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” What is it that really drives your life? In French it is called “votre reson d’etre,” or your purpose of existence. Why do you get up and go to work or school, take care of family, or the myriad of other things that make up your life. If your motivation is anything else except Christ and those things which are above, your “reson de etre” is very fragile and can be taken away at any time. However, if your mind, will, and affections are on things which are above, then “your life is hidden with Christ in God,” a place of ultimate and eternal security. And “when Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”

In Revelations 4:1 it says, “I (John) looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, "Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this."  There is a door in heaven standing open for you. It is a door of revelation, a door of glory, a door of provision, a door of healing.

In Genesis 28:10-14, Jacob sees a stairway to heaven with God at the top of the stairs. God promises His blessings on Jacob, and through His descendants all the nations of the earth would be blessed. We too, through Jesus Christ, are given access to heaven and the high life, that we may walk in the blessings of Abraham, and through us all the nations of the earth may be blessed.

Andy Clark